About Us

Staff

Each of our staff members are valuable assets to our church and its ministries. Without their dedication and willingness to serve, grow, and lead, our congregation would be lost indeed. Thank you, staff, for all your time and commitment to our ministries for Christ in this church and in the community.

Rev. Bob Thomson, Sr. Pastor / Head of Staff[email protected]Pastor Bob is committed to First Presbyterian Church glorifying God through its Worship, Christian Education, and Mission outreach. In the Great Commission Christ called his church to go make disciples in all the world. First Presbyterian is dedicated to growing faithful disciples who serve as ambassadors for Christ in Cheyenne and in the world. Pastor Bob and his wife Kellie are new to Cheyenne and are blessed with two teenage daughters and a son who is twelve. “Our family enjoys camping, bicycling, and enjoying the great outdoors.” If you are looking for a church to call home, we invite you to come as you are to worship and experience the love of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Diana Hartman, Associate Pastor[email protected]Diana Hartman brings her passion and creativity to her position as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church. In addition to sharing preaching, worship leadership and compassionate pastoral care with the Head-of Staff Pastor, she enjoys teaching, local mission, and promoting fellowship among and beyond the congregation. She works with the Small Group, Deacon, and New Life Ministries. She is passionate about helping people discover their spiritual gifts and connecting them with opportunities to use their gifts in compassionate service. Active in the life of the Presbytery, she has served on Presbytery council and on several committees. Diana worked as a computer programmer, systems analyst, and teacher’s associate prior to her call to ministry. Diana and her husband Paul are proud parents of three adult children and enjoy three grandchildren. Diana enjoys reading, weaving, traveling, and baking.

Ashley Braisted, Children and Youth Ministry Director[email protected]Ashley has an enormous heart for children and enjoys watching them grow spiritually. Your children will want to be a part of all the new and exciting activities she has planned. Children are very important to us and we are excited to have Ashley teaching and guiding them.

Custodian

Making sure everything is in the order it should be cleaned. I would like to make sure everyone has a positive and blessed experience at the church.

ShelLu Arrowsmith, Executive Assistant[email protected]ShelLu assists the Head of Staff and other office personnel with various projects, updating lists, and supporting members. She is also charged with accountability and accuracy for many items viewed by the membership: newsletters, bulletins, announcements, calendars, and various monthly and annual reports. She often serves as the liaison between staff, projects, and members. Her job is made easier through the graciousness of the staff, the wonderful volunteers, and the welcoming membership. ShelLu says she is blessed to work with a busy congregation with so many projects that help those in need. She relocated to Cheyenne from Torrington with her husband, and three furry family members, in late 2015.

Patty Bennett, Clerk of SessionPatty’s responsibilities include keeping the minutes of the meetings for the Session and Congregation, keeping the church records, and being one of the chief officers of the church. Patty’s dedication to this job is important to keeping our record books in order.

Greg Dyekman, TreasurerResponsible for overseeing our finances, with the help of the Finance Committee, Greg also makes sure each week that our offerings are faithfully counted and deposited. Stewardship and accountability are his key words.

Betty Jo Mainwaring, Bookkeeper[email protected](307) 638-3345Betty Jo is the keeper of the financial accounts for our church. All expenses are submitted to her so that we can be good stewards of the financial support our members and friends provide for our church and its ministries.

Becky Tish, Choir and Handbell DirectorMusic is deeply planted within Becky’s heart and soul. You can see it as she oversees our entire music program as she directs our Chancel and Handbell Choirs. Her gift of music is shared in making our services more meaningful by the excellent selections of music she provides each week for the choir.

Becky is also the inspiration behind our melodious ringers. With the ringtones of an adult handbell choir, our congregation is treated to a regular rendition of some of our favorite hymns played on the bells.

Eleanor Lane, OrganistEleanor Lane, a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, is the principal organist/pianist who provides service music for worship, as well as accompanying the chancel choir, soloists, and small groups. She is available to play for weddings, funerals, and other special events, and she is responsible for programming the carillon for changes in seasonal music.

Custodian

Making sure everything is in the order it should be cleaned. I would like to make sure everyone has a positive and blessed experience in the church.

Willie Banks, CustodianHelping out on Sunday morning is Willie. By arriving early and getting things set up and ready to go, our members and friends arrive at a church building that is ready to receive them and make them feel welcome.

Mission Statement

As followers of Jesus Christ, under the authority of the Bible, our mission is

Glorifying and worshiping God

Baptizing and strengthening disciples

Loving and serving all people

Vision Statement

Vibrant Worship

Vibrant Discipleship

Vibrant Service

History

First Church of Cheyenne was the first Presbyterian Church to be organized in the Territory of Wyoming on July 18, 1869 with nine charter members. The first building on the northeast corner of Eighteenth and Ferguson (Carey Ave.) was dedicated on July 17, 1870 at a cost of $6500.00. The church was named the Krebs Memorial Presbyterian Church, as a memorial to the lamented Dr. Krebs whose former congregation, the Rutgers Church of New York, contributed largely to the building of this church. Rev. Sheldon Jackson preached the dedicatory sermon and a collection of $150.00 was taken up , which put the church out of debt.

A new church building at the same location was dedicated in 1884, having been built for a cost of $14,000.00. The size of the church was 51’x85′, with a tower, 96 feet high, and main building 52 feet high. The bell from the old church hung in 1876 was placed in the tall steeple of the new church and continued to call worshipers until the building was torn down in 1925.

The current building at 22nd and Carey was dedicated on March 22, 1925. A beautiful memorial chapel in honor of the Presbyterian boys who gave their lives in World War II was dedicated on November 10, 1948. A new Christian Education wing was dedicated on September 17, 1961.